Late defoliation and wheat yield: Little evidence of post-anthesis source limitation

The effect of source reduction on yield and protein content of bread wheat under well-watered and mild drought stress condition in a semi-arid climate was studied. Field experiments were conducted at the Tehran University research farm during 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 growing seasons. Mild drought stress was imposed when plants were at the second node stage by repeatedly withholding watering and re-irrigating when they showed symptoms of wilting or leaf rolling. Partial defoliations (all leaf lamina other than flag leaves were removed) were imposed at booting and anthesis; complete defoliation was imposed at anthesis (defoliation treatments were applied to all plants of each plot). Drought stress caused a significant increase in the remobilization of pre-anthesis reserves to the grain. Defoliation did not significantly affect remobilization. Grain yield and 1000-grain weight was reduced slightly by drought stress, but in most cases it was not significantly reduced by defoliation. Significant changes were not observed for grain protein content between defoliated and control plots. The results suggested that grain yield of the cultivar used under the condition tested is more controlled by sink than source strength.     

Effects of integrated pest management, biological control and prophylactic use of insecticides on the management and sustainability of soybean

This study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic use of insecticides (PUI) in comparison with integrated pest management (IPM) and biological control (BC) strategies. Five replicated experiments were carried out independently in two Brazilian soybean-producing states, Goiás and Paraná, where those pest-control strategies were evaluated during two consecutive growing seasons. The evaluated treatments were integrated pest management (IPM); prophylactic use of insecticides (PUI), a practice that has been increasingly adopted by soybean growers in Brazil as well as in other Latin American countries; biological control (BC) and the control (C), which involved no pest treatment. Although the pest infestation rates in the BC and IPM treatments were higher than that in the PUI treatment, crop productivity, in general, was similar among these treatments and differed only from the control with no pest treatment. These results indicate that the prophylactic use of insecticides on soybeans does not result in higher productivity in the field and that this practice merely requires larger amounts of pesticides, which can impair the sustainability of the soybean crop. Therefore, the use of IPM still remains the best alternative for pest management in soybean fields.     

芝麻花期叶片光合产物的 运输分配及对产量的影响

在芝麻有效开花结蒴期,对当天见花节位进行不同比例、不同部位剪叶处理,以不剪叶和全剪叶植株为 对照,研究了留叶部位功能叶光合产物的运输分配方向及在不同剪叶部位籽粒中的积累。结果表明:芝麻籽粒产 量全部来源于开花后功能叶的光合产物,剪叶比例越高减产越明显。叶片光合产物的运输分配量的大小顺序为: 向同侧蒴果分配最多,侧向分配次之,横向运输分配极少。     

Pest-damage relationships for Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on soybean (Glycine max) and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) during pod-fill

The response of soybean (Glycine max) and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) to feeding by Helicoverpa armigera during the pod-fill stage was studied in irrigated field cages over three seasons to determine the relationship between larval density and yield loss, and to develop economic injury levels. H. armigera intensity was calculated in Helicoverpa injury equivalent (HIE) units, where 1 HIE was the consumption of one larva from the start of the infestation period to pupation. In the dry bean experiment, yield loss occurred at a rate 6.00 ± 1.29 g/HIE while the rates of loss in the three soybean experiments were 4.39 ± 0.96 g/HIE, 3.70 ± 1.21 g/HIE and 2.12 ± 0.71 g/HIE. These three slopes were not statistically different (P > 0.05) and the pooled estimate of the rate of yield loss was 3.21 ± 0.55 g/HIE. The first soybean experiment also showed a split-line form of damage curve with a rate of yield loss of 26.27 ± 2.92 g/HIE beyond 8.0 HIE and a rapid decline to zero yield. In dry bean, H. armigera feeding reduced total and undamaged pod numbers by 4.10 ± 1.18 pods/HIE and 12.88 ± 1.57 pods/HIE respectively, while undamaged seed numbers were reduced by 35.64 ± 7.25 seeds/HIE. In soybean, total pod numbers were not affected by H. armigera infestation (out to 8.23 HIE in Experiment 1) but seed numbers (in Experiments 1 and 2) and the number of seeds/pod (in all experiments) were adversely affected. Seed size increased with increases in H. armigera density in two of the three soybean experiments, indicating plant compensatory responses to H. armigera feeding. Analysis of canopy pod profiles indicated that loss of pods occurred from the top of the plant downwards, but with an increase in pod numbers close to the ground at higher pest densities as the plant attempted to compensate for damage. Based on these results, the economic injury levels for H. armigera on dry bean and soybean are approximately 0.74 HIE and 2.31 HIE/m², respectively (0.67 and 2.1 HIE/row-m for 91 cm rows).     

播期对大豆产量及农艺性状的影响

以引进和本地23个品种为材料,研究了在沧州气候条件下,不同播期对大豆产量及主要农艺性状的影响.结果表明:推迟播种,缩短了始花期至生理成熟期的天数,从而缩短了各品种的生育期;晚播严重降低了各品种的株高和主茎节数;产量、单株粒数、百粒重与播期达到了显著负相关,所以夏大豆适时早播意义重大.     

假眼小绿叶蝉防治指标的研究

利用网罩法测定了假眼小绿叶蝉不同虫口密度对茶鲜叶产量及受害指数的影响。在此基础上,建立了不同虫口密度与茶鲜叶经济损失率线性回归方程。根据目前茶叶的生产情况,制定了绿茶和乌龙茶不同茶区、茶季、茶鲜叶价格水平下假眼小绿叶蝉相应的防治指标。     

芝麻不同时期去叶对蒴果发育和产量的影响及保叶增产措施

采用定株观察，以芝麻生长正常单株为对照，研究不同生育时期，不同蒴果发育时期去叶，对芝麻农艺性状和单株产量的影响。结果表明，随着芝麻生育进程，终花期，封顶期，盛花期去叶减产值幅度递增。相同植株同天开花采取不同时期去叶所结蒴果分别与对照相比，去叶时间越早秕籽率越高，千粒重越低。同时还进一步研究出延长芝麻中上部叶片功能期，提高单株产量的技术措施。     

Pest-damage relationships for Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on vegetative soybean

The response of vegetative soybean (Glycine max) to Helicoverpa armigera feeding was studied in irrigated field cages over three years in eastern Australia to determine the relationship between larval density and yield loss, and to develop economic injury levels. Rather than using artificial defoliation techniques, plants were infested with either eggs or larvae of H. armigera, and larvae allowed to feed until death or pupation. Larvae were counted and sized regularly and infestation intensity was calculated in Helicoverpa injury equivalent (HIE) units, where 1 HIE was the consumption of one larva from the start of the infestation period to pupation. In the two experiments where yield loss occurred, the upper threshold for zero yield loss was 7.51 ± 0.21 HIEs and 6.43 ± 1.08 HIEs respectively. In the third experiment, infestation intensity was lower and no loss of seed yield was detected up to 7.0 HIEs. The rate of yield loss/HIE beyond the zero yield loss threshold varied between Experiments 1 and 2 (−9.44 ± 0.80 g and −23.17 ± 3.18 g, respectively). H. armigera infestation also affected plant height and various yield components (including pod and seed numbers and seeds/pod) but did not affect seed size in any experiment. Leaf area loss of plants averaged 841 and 1025 cm²/larva in the two experiments compared to 214 and 302 cm²/larva for cohort larvae feeding on detached leaves at the same time, making clear that artificial defoliation techniques are unsuitable for determining H. armigera economic injury levels on vegetative soybean. Analysis of canopy leaf area and pod profiles indicated that leaf and pod loss occurred from the top of the plant downwards. However, there was an increase in pod numbers closer to the ground at higher pest densities as the plant attempted to compensate for damage. Defoliation at the damage threshold was 18.6 and 28.0% in Experiments 1 and 2, indicating that yield loss from H. armigera feeding occurred at much lower levels of defoliation than previously indicated by artificial defoliation studies. Based on these results, the economic injury level for H. armigera on vegetative soybean is approximately 7.3 HIEs/row-metre in 91 cm rows or 8.0 HIEs/m².     

大豆重组自交系群体三、四粒荚变异及其与产量的关系

利用中豆29与中豆32杂交衍生出的大豆重组自交系群体406个家系,在两种种植密度下分析三、四粒荚与产量的关系,研究结果表明,大豆重组自交系群体四粒荚性状存在明显的变异,有部分家系几乎没有四粒荚出现,而另一部分家系四粒荚几乎占四分之三,群体中出现了三、四粒荚数是一、二粒荚数47倍的家系.50%以上的家系四粒荚数和三粒荚比率超过高亲值,而有70.69%的家系一粒荚比率低于低亲值.三粒荚数与产量存在极显著的正相关,四粒荚数与单株产量有一定程度的负相关,主要原因是四粒荚数与百粒重存在极显著的负相关,但高产家系每荚粒数仍高于每荚粒数低的亲本.     

Effect of defoliation and drought stress on yield components and chlorophyll content of wheat

In order to examine the effects of source restriction and drought stress on yield components, flag leaf chlorophyll content and Relative Water Content (RWC) of wheat cultivars, a greenhouse experiment was carried out at Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, during 2009-2010. The wheat cultivars including Shiraz, Bahar, Pishtaz, Sistan and Yavaros were sown in 5 kg plastic pots. The source manipulation treatments including control (C), defoliation of all leaves (D1), defoliation of all leaves except the flag leaf (D2) and defoliation of all leaves except the flag leaf and penultimate leaf (D3), were imposed at anthesis. Results showed that source restriction decreased number of grain per spike significantly in Shiraz cultivar under drought stress condition. Maximum 100-grain weight was observed in C treatment of Yavaros and Shiraz under well-watered condition. Among the defoliation treatments under drought stress condition, D2 in Pishtaz and D1 in Shiraz had the highest (3.66 g) and lowest (2.71 g) 100 grain weight, respectively. In all cultivars drought stress decreased main shoot yield significantly but in Pishtaz and Sistan decreasing rate was less than the other cultivars. RWC in Shiraz decreased sharply from 92.1% in well-watered to 66.7% (27.5% reduction) under drought stress at 10 DAA. After anthesis, Pishtaz and Sistan maintained higher content of flag leaf chlorophyll (from 49.4 to 56.8 SPAD unit) under drought stress condition. Generally, selection and culture of cultivars that had small responses to defoliation might be a useful strategy in yield improvement of wheat in areas where the water availability is low.     

Neighbor defoliation regulates Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) in pasture by mediating interspecific competition

Little is known of the effect of selective plant defoliation at different intensities and frequencies in altering weed-forage dynamics in pasture. We conducted a field experiment to quantify Cirsium arvense responses to varying defoliation regimes of neighboring forage implemented for 2 years under high or low fertility conditions. Defoliation regimes were based on common grazing systems, and included: (1) high intensity–high frequency (HIHF) defoliation simulating continuous grazing, (2) high intensity–low frequency (HILF), (3) low intensity–high frequency (LIHF), and (4) deferred (DEF) defoliation to peak growth in late summer. All vegetation except C. arvense was defoliated during the growing season to examine weed responses to changes in neighboring forage abundance. Year-end C. arvense biomass at the end of the study was greatest in the HIHF treatment and lowest in the DEF, with the LIHF and HILF treatments intermediate in response. The HILF treatment also provided improved suppression of C. arvense biomass relative to the LIHF, although this response was inconsistent among sites. Trends in C. arvense shoot densities among defoliation treatments were similar to those for biomass. While weed abundance was lower in the absence of fertilization, rankings among defoliation treatments remained the same. Notably, trends in forage biomass among defoliation regimes followed a pattern opposite that of C. arvense, and are implicated in observed weed decreases. Our results indicate that defoliation regimes enhancing forage growth and biomass, particularly a DEF or HILF regime, reduce C. arvense the most. Grazing systems that employ these defoliation regimes are therefore likely to optimize the interspecific competitive suppression of C. arvense.     

Simulation of rice planthopper damage for developing pest management decision support tools

Rice planthoppers' damage on Pusa Basmati 1 cultivar was simulated with InfoCrop, a generic crop growth simulation model. The model was calibrated and validated with two experimental data sets on planthopper population and rice yield that were generated through differential insecticide application during the rainy season 2006 and 2007. Simulated yield and total dry matter (TDM) in various treatments over the two experiments were found to be proximal to the observed yields (R² = 0.972, RMSE = 4.61%) and TDM (R² = 0.949, RMSE = 3.25%), respectively. Likewise, the simulated yield and TDM losses were also respectively close to observed yield losses (R² = 0.938, RMSE = 13.53%) and TDM losses (R² = 0.835, RMSE = 19.12%), suggesting appropriate validation of planthopper damage mechanism on Pusa Basmati 1 rice. Economic injury levels (EILs) of planthoppers were simulated with two control expenditures involving two applications with each of monocrotophos and imidacloprid, and three market prices of Pusa Basamti 1 rice. The EIL exhibited a negative relationship with market value of produce but a positive one with expenditure on control measures. Simulated EILs were comparable to earlier established empirical EILs, indicating utility of simulation models for developing location specific EILs that may help in doing away with the use of blanket EILs. Iso-loss curves, devised through validated model, depicted combinations of crop age and planthopper population that resulted in similar yield losses. Both the EILs and iso-loss curves can be useful in monitoring planthopper populations and promoting judicious pesticide applications that would avoid unwarranted control expenditure and environmental contamination. The simulation models being based on detailed crop ecological and physiological processes and pest damage mechanism can thus aid in development of location-specific decision support tools and ensure precision in pest management decisions.     

Seedling defoliation of cereal crops increases peanut growth and yield in an intercropping system

Intercropping cereals and legumes is practiced widely in the world for improving yields and economic benefits. Shorter legume crops in intercropping are shaded by taller cereals, substantially reducing legume growth and yield. Reducing shade in intercropping by shortening the plant height of cereals by seedling defoliation has been proposed as a practical approach to increase crop yields and land productivity. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of defoliation of cereal crops at seedling stage on the growth and yield of peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) intercropped with corn(Zea mays L.) or millet(Setaria italica L.). In comparison with non-defoliation controls, defoliation reduced final plant height by 29 cm on average for corn and 18 cm for millet. Photosynthetically active radiation on peanut in intercropping systems with corn or millet intercropping was respectively 27.0% and 22.8% higher than those in controls, significantly improving the light environment of intercropped peanut. Net photosynthetic rates of peanut were on average 25.5% higher in corn and peanut intercropping and 19.6% higher in millet and peanut intercropping than those in non-defoliation controls. Total biomass of intercropped peanut increased owing to increased root growth. Across two years, yield of peanut intercropped with corn was 27.7% and with millet 32.8% higher than those of controls. Defoliation of cereal crops did not affect corn yield but significantly decreased millet yield by 24.5%. Our results suggest that applying seedling defoliation in intercropped corn could increase peanut yield without compromising corn yield in an intercropping system.     

光照强度对大豆产量及品质的影响Ⅰ.全生育期光照强度变化对大豆脂肪和蛋白质含量的影响

在人工控制条件下研究不同光照强度对大豆化学品质的影响,以及自开花后不同时期遮光处理大豆蛋白质、脂肪含量的变化.结果表明,光照强度对不同品质类型的大豆脂肪、蛋白质含量均有很大的影响.随着光照强度的降低,不同品质类型大豆蛋白质含量均呈上升趋势,而脂肪含量均下降,蛋白质脂肪总含量上升.品种间对光照强度变化的敏感程度不同,高蛋白品种对光照强度较迟钝,而高脂肪品种对光照强度较敏感.     

Effect of planting date on severity of frogeye leaf spot and grain yield of soybeans

The influence of soybean (Glycine max) planting date on seasonal epidemics of frogeye leaf spot caused by Cercospora sojina and on grain yield, was evaluated during the 1991 and 1992 cropping seasons. Two susceptible (Samsoy 1 and TGx 849-313D) and one resistant (TGx 996-26E) soybean cultivars were used in field trials at Zonkwa, in the southern Kaduna state of Nigeria. Four field plantings were made at 14-day intervals from late May to mid0July. For each planting date, half the plots received foliar applications of benomyl at R₁ and R₃ growth stages, and the other half was untreated. Frogeye disease severity ratings were taken for all plots at R₄ to R₅ growth stages, and grain yield for each plot was measured at harvest. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in disease severity between the first and third plantings on the two susceptible cultivars in 1991, and on TGx 849-313D only in 1992. Corresponding yield reductions for the two susceptible cultivars averaged 13 and 31% for the treated and untreated plots, respectively, with each 2-week delay beyond the first planting date in 1991, and 5 and 6%, respectively, in 1992. There was no significant difference in disease among all treatments on the resistant cultivar, TGx 996-26E. Under Nigerian conditions, an increase in frogeye leaf spot severity can be expected with delayed planting of soybean after 1 June, and this can result in a corresponding loss of crop yield.     

The impact of a fungicide and an insecticide on soybean growth, yield, and profitability

A growing number of soybean producers have begun to incorporate below threshold fungicide and insecticide treatments into their management programs in attempts to increase yield. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of a fungicide and insecticide on soybean yield and growth when disease and insect pressure is minimal. Soybean was planted at three locations across Indiana, USA, in 2009 and 2010 and treated with various combinations of glyphosate, pyraclostrobin, and lambda-cyhalothrin. Yield was increased by 100 kg ha⁻¹ and 150 kg ha⁻¹ by a R4 application of pyraclostrobin alone and by lambda-cyhalothrin alone, respectively. Seed mass was increased 3% by pyraclostrobin, while seed number m⁻² was increased 5% by lambda-cyhalothrin. No other yield component was influenced by the fungicide or insecticide. Economic analysis using Simulation and Econometrics to Analyze Risk (SIMETAR) demonstrated a single, post application of glyphosate to be the most efficient treatment option across a range of risk attitudes. This study indicates that yield increases are possible using below threshold applications of fungicides and insecticides. However, growers may not benefit from such applications if input costs are higher than the economic returns of the increased yield.     

大豆重迎茬减产的原因及农艺对策研究——重迎茬大豆的根系分泌物与根茬腐解物

通过连续8年在黑龙江省6个生态区9个固定轮作场圃综合试验,试验区专项研究,框区、盆栽试验,实验室分析,以及大量的大面积生产调查,发现大豆重迎茬种植根系分泌物增加,且对大豆生长发育及土壤微生物区系有不利的影响,同时也影响到土壤微量元素的活化;根茬腐解物对大豆的生长和根系活力都有不利的影响,并使大豆的产量明显降低。研究结果表明,根系分泌物和根茬腐解物对重迎茬大豆的生长发育和产量有一定的影响,它们也是造成大豆重迎茬减产的一个原因。     

Seed production in white clover (Trifolium repens L.). II. Effect of autumn defoliation on potential seed yield and seed yield components

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of autumn defoliation treatments on inflorescence production, potential seed yield and yield components of white clover cv Makibashiro. Between 10 July and 10 October 1992, white clover swards were subjected to one of three treatments: monthly cutting to 3–4 cm (4DEF), cutting to 3–4 cm on 10 August and 10 October (2DEF), and no cutting (control). The total numbers of inflorescences and the proportion of inflorescences in different development categories were counted throughout the period of seed crop development to determine the pattern of inflorescence development and optimum harvest date. There were consistent significant differences in inflorescence density between treatments. Plots which received the 2DEF treatment produced significantly more inflorescences than did the no-defoliation (control) and 4DEF-treatment plots. In this particular year the optimum harvest date (date at which the proportion of ripe inflorescences and potential seed yield was highest) was 26 July, approximately 30 d after peak flowering. Defoliation treatments had no effect on optimum harvest date. However, treatments differed in potential seed yield and ripe inflorescences on this date. The 2DEF treatment gave the highest potential seed yield because there were significantly more ripe inflorescences than either the contol or 4DEF plots. Control plots produced inflorescences with more florets than the other two defoliation treatments, but the differences were not always significant. Seed number per pod was higher in inflorescences obtained from previously defoliated plots than from control plots. The 1000-seed weight was significantly lower in inflorescences developed in 4DEF plots than those developed in 2DEF and control plots. The results are discussed in relation to the management of white clover seed crops and the importance of canopy structure and light intensity for seed production.     

Some effects of fertilizer and frequency of defoliation on the botanical composition and yield of permanent grassland

Small plots of permanent pasture containing 50% Agrostis capillaris-Festuca rubra were defoliated frequently or infrequently during the growing seasons in 1978–80 and fertilized with 133, 125 and 125 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O respectively ha⁻¹ a ⁻¹ or not fertilized during 1978–81. Yields of herbage were assessed during 1979–80 and botanical composition assessed on three occasions in 1978, once in April 1979 and once in 1982.
Fertilizer application increased annual dry matter (DM) harvested from frequently cut plots by 40%, 53% and 65% in 1978, 1979 and 1980 respectively, and on infrequently cut plots it doubled hay DM harvested in 1978 and increased total DM harvested by 126% and 186% in 1979 and 1980 respectively. Infrequent cutting and fertilizer both decreased the proportion of A. capillaris but only fertilizer decreased the proportion of F. rubra. Fertilizer greatly increased the proportion of Holcus lanatus especially where plots had been cut frequently and of Alopecurus pratensis where they had been cut infrequently. It decreased the proportion of Luzula campestris. Infrequent cutting, especially with fertilizer, discouraged Cerastium fontanum ssp. glabrescens and Trifolium repens but encouraged Rumex acetosa.